Chemotherapy part 2

Ordinarily I will having the umpteen chemotherapy stuff all on the same day, and it will take the best part of a day. However, as this is the beginning I have had to have them over two days just in case I have an adverse reaction to any of them.

We arrive at the appointed time, there is a delay due to the teaching thing that the nurses are doing overrunning and the fact the the drugs had not come up from the pharmacy, however my nurse calls me in anyway. I have the usual weigh in, blood pressure, temperature and blood saturation checks. All are fine eventually. I must remember to breath and deeply.

The first task is to remove the stitches from my portacath. This is not too uncomfortable although it did feel a little odd. What hurts more than anything is the initial removal of the large plaster which is covering the portacath site and then the cleaning of the area with alcohol, which stings beyond belief. It would appear that I have developed a slight allergy to plaster. I think it might be the changing of the plaster over the last week or so from the same sight has just removed the very top layer of my skin, either way I have a very sore chest, Savlon to the rescue.

Last night I read up all about the various drugs I am having and discovered that yesterday's ones are not vomit inducing, so I am a little nervous about today's treatment. The drug I am being given has a vomit rate of 2% so I am really hoping that I am in the majority. Also hair loss affects about 10% so again I am hoping to be in the majority. I do love statistics.

I have had my various steroids and anti-emetics beforehand and so the treatment starts. It takes about an hour and so far so good. The final drug is to strengthen my bones and this takes about 20 minutes. Again so far so good no obvious side effects. I have a slight headache, but then I have one of those most of the time.

Once again I cannot praise the portacath enough. Apparently, in some countries having a portacath fitted is a matter of course for breast cancer patients. It would certainly help those who have a needle phobia.

We are released just after lunch and I bounce out. I know that it is the steroids but I feel full of energy and my walking pace is back to its normal speed. My various aches, pains and stiffness have also abated.

So far the only reaction I have had is the one I had last time to the herceptin which is slightly red itchy cheeks. This time it is much less as my cheeks are as red or itchy and I am banking on the fact that last time it lasted about 24 hours/

All I have to do for the next week or so is avoid getting ill so I will be crowds and the great unwashed which suits me fine. I will also, weather permitting, be going for daily walks around the neighbourhood. My mood in general is good and as I said I do feel much less knackered. I love drugs.